AUCKLAND PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4545, 18 November 1884, Page 2

AUCKLAND PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

At tho regular weekly sitting of the Parliamentary Union House of Representatives last night, the Hon. Minister of Publio Works (Mr S. Vaile) delivored an elaborate Public Works Statement, embracing eight pagos of printed matter. Aftor some introductory remarks, ho stated that the Legislature would be asked to sanction the transference of the management of the railwtys to two non-pelitical Boards—one for the North Island and ono for the South—-each Board to bo elected by tho County Councils, Road Boards, Boroughs, Highway Boards, and Chambers of Commerce of the districts affected by the railways, and the remuneration of theso Boards to be mot by a small percentage on results. Recognising the principle that railways are but roads, thoy intended to abandon tho attempt to make tho permanent way yield any interest on tho cost of construction, and they proposeto lowertransit charges till thoy only cover the cost of conveyance, with a fair profit added. As the finances of tho colony, however, would not admit of any loss of revenue, they did not proposo to at once reduce fares and freights to this extent. After describing the working railways, the rates of interest earned by them, and showing . that the North Island lilies, although disjointed, paid better than the Southern ones, Mr Vaile went on to treat of " works in progress," " finance," and " special taxation." Under tho heading of "Proposals for the Future," he said that as the total sum expended in the North Island was less by £4,415,000 than that spent in the South Island, the Government proposed, as an act of simplo justice, to place both islands on a more equal footing. The works proposed .were therefore—l, To complete the construction of the North Island trunk railway by continuing the line from Te Awamutu to Stratford, and from Palmerston to Mnsterton. 2. To construct a line from Helensville to Hokianga. 3. To construct a line from the point where the main line touches the Wanganui River, and passing south of Lako Taupo till it reaches Napier. These, which wero estimated to cost £3,245,000, with tho lines already constructed, would bring tho total expenditure in the North Island up to £7,119,000, which is still £1,170,000 less than has already been spent in tho South Maud. In districts where railways exist, it was his intention to reduce the expenditure on roads as much as possible, to do away with the usual grants to County Councils nnd Road Boards, and instead to construct each year, as funds might be available for the different districts, a certain length of horse tramway along tho main cross roads leading to the various principal stations, to furnish them with a suitablo supply of rolling stock, and then to hand them over to the different Road . Hoards, to be maintained at their expense, the idea being that those tramways would ultimately become branch railways, The. remainder of' tho statement' dealt with *■ railway administration," and inter alia- it was stated that the "commercial stupidity of tho present tariff was only equalled by its disgraceful dishonesty." He intended to completely reverse the present policy, and by charging low fares and providing better accommodation to encourage the masses to make use of the railways. He would abolish differential rating, and substitute Ono uniform'for-th'e colony. The Government anticipated as a result of these changes'that the' railway revenue would bo raised* to '£1,460,000,' that taxation would bo lessened, settlement and trade expanded, and that works could be carried on without resorting to any fresh loans,' or that they could borrow another £10,000,000 without adding to existing burdens. Mr Vaile resumed his seat amid loud applause, and theStatemont was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. Waste Lands Bill.—The Waste Lands Bill was then considered in Committee, Mr. P. A. Philips (Chairman of Committees) presiding. Messrs W. Swanson, A. Boardman, Thco. Cooper, jun., F. Battley, H. Campbell, R. Cranwell, P. Phillipps, and H. H. Lusk (Premier) spoko upon the measure, while- an-amendment' by Mr Swanson to abolish the restriction upon area of landholdings was lost upon division by 22 to 20. Progress was then repotted, and leave obtained to sit again.■■• Regulation of Elections.—The Attor-ney-General's (Mr Hogg's) bill to amend the Constitution by making provision. for the better regulation of elections, passed its second reading, and was also partially considered in Committee, and leave given to sit again. The House adjourned at 10.30.

Sewing Maohlnes the bo t.—l). S. Chambers,